Re: Recent government cuts to funding for Saskatchewan language schools.

Does the Government of Saskatchewan value language instruction in this province? Heritage language schools in Saskatchewan provide a place for newcomers to stay connected to their culture and traditions. People like to attend events like Folkfest and Mosaic, etc.

Why do these multicultural festivals exist? Because the people involved are connected to their heritage and language while being fully integrated into Canadian society.

Heritage language schools also provide a variety of affordable language courses for all people of Saskatchewan. In other countries, it is standard to learn multiple foreign languages as part of the curriculum in school. Saskatchewan needs a similar international focus as a way to relate to the world culturally or for business reasons. That can happen through developing language skills.

The Ministry of Education can demonstrate its international interest by continuing to support language learning with the small amount of funding currently provided to heritage language schools.

Gabriele Harrison, Saskatoon

Harrison is interim executive director of the Saskatchewan German Council.

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